Filling apparatus for slush-molding



J. F. ADAMIK FILLING APPARATUS FOR SLUSH May 5, 1970 -MOLDING 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb 8, 1967 gwiviv wvwwwwgg ii FlG.l

ATTORNEYS May 5, 1970 J. F. ADAMIK FILLING APPARATUS FOR SLUSH-MOLDING 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 8, 1967 INVENTOR. JAROSLAV F. ADAMIK HQ 3 wli,wmg%m- ATTORNEYS United Statesv Patent 3,509,921 FILLING APPARATUS FOR SLUSH-MOLDING Jaroslav F. Adamik, Warren, R.I., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Marbill Company, Providence, R.I., a corporation of Rhode Island Filed Feb. 8, 1967, Ser. No. 614,587 Int. Cl. B65b 1/30; B65d /377 US. Cl. 141-205 16 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This apparatus relates specifically to the filling apparatus described in my pending application Ser. No. 625,678, filed Mar. 24, 1967, and as pointed out therein one of the objects was to substantially automatically supply liquid plastisol in suitable quantities to hollow molds for the purpose of slush-molding articles of footwear thereby avoiding the present practice of filling the molds manually. Other objects are to control the flow of plastisol through the nozzles independently of each other, to control the rate of fiow through each nozzle independently of the others, to sensitively control the rise of the plastisol in the molds to a predetermined level, and to provide means for detachably connecting the nozzles from the valve operating means to enable detaching one set of nozzles and replacing them with another set.

SUMMARY As herein illustrated, the apparatus comprises one or more nozzles to which plastisol is delivered, means supporting the nozzles for movement from a retracted position above and laterally of the open tops of the molds to a position adjacent the open tops, valves in the nozzles controlling the flow of plastisol through them, and trigger fingers supported on the nozzles in a position such as to be tripped by contact with the molds as the nozzles are moved into position to open the valves. The molds are supported in an upright position and there is means embodied in the means supporting the nozzles for moving the nozzles from a retracted position above and laterallyv of the open tops of the supported molds to a position adjacent the open tops wherein the nozzles project into the open tops. The supporting means comprises a rocker arm mounted at the top-of a pedestal for tilting about a horizontal axis downwardly and upwardly relative to the open tops of the molds, and a slide plate mounted on the rocker arm movable thereon toward and away from the open tops of the molds. Power-operated means connected to the rocker arm and slide plate, respectively, operate simultaneously to move the slide plate forwardly and the rocker arm downwardly. A float is mounted on each nozzle for movement into the open end of the mold as the nozzle is lowered to its position at the open top thereof and each float is operable when elevated by plastisol reaching its level in the mold to close the valve. The float is loosely supported on the lower end of a sealed tube and there is switch means within the tube operable, by elevation of the float on the tube, to close the switch means. Each nozzle contains a ball valve rotatable therein to permit or block 3,509,921 Patented May 5, 1970 passage of plastisol therethrough and there is power-operable means for effecting rotation of the ball valve responsive, on the one hand, to the trigger finger to open the valve and, on the other hand, to the float to close the valve. The power-operable means for opening the valves comprises a cylinder containing a piston and rod, the latter being operable by extension to open the valve. A bleeder valve in the conductor supplying pressure to the cylinder in a direction to extend the rod is operable to control the rate of displacement of the piston therein and hence the rate the valve is opened.

The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the filling apparatus in relation to a hollow mold at the time of filling of the mold;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary elevation of one of the nozzles through which liquid plastisol is injected into the open top of the mold, and an air cylinder designed to open a valve in the nozzle, the nozzle and air cylinder being shown disengaged;

FIG. 3 is an elevation, partly in section, showing the details of the float by means of which the flow of plastisol through the nozzle is terminated;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of FIG. 3; and FIG. 5 is an elevation of a typical mold supported in an upright position for filling.

Referring to FIG. 1, the molds M, only one of which is shown herein, are hollow metal forms for making boots by slush-molding and are supported in an upright position for filling, with the filling apparatus illustrated herein, upon a rotor such as illustrated in my pending application Ser. No. 625,678, filed Mar. 24, 1967, wherein this apparatus is illustrated at one of the zones of operation of that machine. A supporting bracket b of the aforesaid apparatus and clamping device 0 for clamping a mold M thereto is shown in FIG. 5 by way of illustration. It is to be observed, however, that the molds can be supported in any suitable manner for the purpose of filling with the specific apparatus which forms the subject matter of this invention.

The apparatus comprises a pedestal 10, the lower end of which may be lagged to the floor and the upper end of which has secured to it a cap plate 12 to which there are bolted bearings 14 which rotatably support a shaft 16. A rocker arm 18 is mounted on the shaft 16 for tilt ing movement about a horizontal axis and this has mounted on it a slide plate 20 slidably connected thereto by bolts 22 extending through the plate into a slot 24 in the rocker arm. The rocker arm 18 and slide plate 24 support a plurality of nozzles 26 for movement from a retracted position above and laterally of the upper ends of the molds M to a position directly above the open ends of the molds for discharge of plastisol thereinto. Rocking or tilting movement of the rocker arm 18 is effected by a cylinder and piston assembly 30 comprising a cylinder 32 pivotally connected at one end by a pin 34 to the pedestal below the cap plate 12 and a piston rod projecting from the other end, the distal end of which is pivotally connected to the forward end of the rocker plate. Movement of the slide plate 20 is provided for by a cylinder and piston assembly 36 comprising a cylinder 38 connected at one end to the rocker arm 18 and a piston rod 40 extending from the other end and connected at its distal end to the slide plate by a pin 42. Both of the cylinder and piston assemblies are doubleacting so that air pressure supplied to one end of the assembly 30 extends the rod thereby tilting the rocker arm upwardly and to the other end retracts the rod and lowers the rocker arm to a substantially horizontal position. Pressure supplied to one end of the assembly 36 retracts vthe plate 20 and to the other end advances it. Pressure is supplied to the two cylinders by suitably timed controls so that forward and downward movement of the nozzles 26 is effected simultaneously to move the nozzles from their retracted positions to positions directly above the open tops of the molds.

Each nozzle 26 has a rearwardly extending boss 44 by means of which it is attached to a bracket member 46 having transversely spaced, rearwardly extending flanges 48 by means of which it is detachably mounted on a bracket 50 having transversely spaced flanges 52. The brackets are secured to each other by bolts 54 inserted through holes 56 and 58 in the respective brackets. The bracket 50 is mounted on an arm 60 extending upwardly and forwardly from the forward end of the slide plate 20.

The nozzles are connected by coupling members 62 to flexible conductors 64, the latter extending upwardly therefrom to a tank containing the plastisol which is to be delivered to the nozzles. The plastisol gravitates to the nozzles through the conductors 64 and couplings 62. Within each nozzle there is a ball valve 66 which contains a diametrical hole 68 and each ball valve has on it a stem 70 by means of which it may be rotated to place the hole therein crosswise of the passage through the nozzle or in alignment therewith, on the one hand to stems 70 extend rearwardly from the nozzles through the bosses 44.

Rearwardly of the nozzles 26 on the fixed bracket part '50 there are four cylinders 72, one for each of the nozzles, each containing a piston and rod and at its lower end a hollow extension 76 into which the rod 74 extends. A shaft 78 is rotatably supported in each extension 76 with one end extending into the extension and the other end extending from the extension in axial alignment with one of the stems 70. A gear 80 is mounted on the inner end of the shaft 78 in mesh with a rack on the rod 74 and the adjacent ends of the stem 70 and shaft 78 are telescopically engaged when the brackets are secured to each other. The engaging portions 70a and 78a of the stem and shaft are non-circular so that rotation of the shaft 78 imparts a corresponding rotation to the stem 70. The cylinders 72 are double-acting so that pressure supplied to their upper ends extends the piston rods to rotate the valves in one direction and pressure supplied to their lower ends retracts the rods to rotate the valves in the other direction. Pressure is supplied to the upper ends of the cylinders 72 through conductors 81 and to the lower ends through conductors 83. Preferably a bleeder valve 84 is included in each conductor 81 to enable adjustment of the pressure supplied so as to control the rate of movement of the piston in the cylinder and hence rotation of the valve from its closed to its open position. Such control is desirable to provide for uniform flow without turbulence which may be different for plastisols of difierent viscosities. Pressure is supplied to the conductors 81 and 83 through a solenoid-operable valve 86 which is connected by a conductor 88 to a suitable source of pressure. The solenoid-operable valve 86 is controlled by two switches S1 and S2 mounted on the nozzles 26, actuation of the valve S1 operating the solenoid to supply pressure to the upper end of the cylinder and activation of the valve S2 operating the solenoid to supply pressure to the lower end of the cylinder. The electrical connections for the several switches are collected to form a cable 90 provided with a jack 92 by means of which it is detachably connected to a junction box 94.

The switch S1 has connected to it a trigger finger 94' which extends downwardly at an angle to the nozzle 26, so that when the nozzle 26 is moved forwardly and downwardly into the open end of the mold the trigger finger 94 will be engaged by a part of the mold and will activate the valve S1 initiating flow of plastisol through the nozzle and into the mold.

The switch S2 is activated by a float 96 also supported on the nozzle in substantially axial alignment therewith for movement into the open upper end of the mold as the nozzle is lowered into position. The float is loosely supported on the lower end of a closed tube 98 and the latter, which extends upwardly along the nozzles to the switch S2, contains in it wiring and relatively movable contacts which, when closed, will effect activation of the switch S2. The float 96 has at its upper end a magnet 100 which is operable when the float is raised to the dotted line position against the adjusting nut 102 to close the contacts. A spring 104 mounted on the lower end of the tube and recessed into the lower end of the float nullifies the weight of the float. The spring is held in place by a cotter pin 106 fixed to the lower end of the tube.

The use of the trigger finger 94' and float 96 for respectively controlling discharge of plastisol and terminating it enables filling the mold Without spilling the plastisol and of controlling the depths to a predetermined level thus eliminating excessive trimming when the article is finished. Additionally, by mounting the nozzles so that they can be detached, it is readily possible to detach one set of nozzles and connect another set supplied with plastisol from a different source to enable changing the kind and/or color of plastisol at any given time without having to stop for the purpose of cleaning. Furthermore, since each of the nozzles is independently controlled both as to effecting discharge and terminating discharge it is possible to use the apparatus for filling one mold at a time or all of the molds at once without making any adjustments for this purpose.

It should be understood that the present disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only and that this invention includes all modifications and equivalents falling within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for charging a hollow mold with plastisol in the manufacture of footwear by slush molding, comprising a mold support supporting an open top mold at a predetermined position for receiving a charge of plastisol, a nozzle support, a nozzle to which plastisol is delivered, means mounting the nozzle on the nozzle support for movement forwardly and downwardly relative to said predetermined position, a valve in the nozzle for controlling the flow of plastisol through it, means connected to the valve for effecting its operation, a trigger supported on the nozzle, said trigger being operably connected to said last means and being disposed in a position relative to the nozzle such as to be tripped by contact with a part of the mold as the nozzle is moved to said predetermined position to open the valve, and a float supported on the nozzle and movable into the mold as the nozzle is moved to said predetermined position, said float being operably connected to said means and operable when the level of the plastisol reaches a predetermined height in the mold to effect closing of the valve.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said nozzle support comprises a pedestal, a rocker arm pivotally mounted on the pedestal tiltable about a horizontal axis toward and away from the open top of the mold, a slide plate mounted on the rocker arm movable thereon toward and away from the open top of the mold, power-operable means connected to said rocker and said slide plate respectively, said power-operable means being operable simultaneously to move the slide plate forwardly and the rocker arm downwardly, and means securing the nozzle to the forward end of the slide plate.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a slender tube secured to the nozzle in a position to move into the open end of the mold when the nozzle is moved to said predetermined position, a float mounted loosely on said slender tube for movement along said tube, and

operable by the float when the latter reaches a predetermined level.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said poweroperable means comprises a first cylinder pivotally connected at one end to the pedestal, a rod extending from the other end, and means connecting the distal end of the rocker arm, and a second cylinder pivotally connected at one end to the rocker arm, a rod extending from the other end, and means connecting the distal end of the rod to the slide plate.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said float embodies magnetic means operable by movement of the float in elevation to a predetermined level to close said switch.

6. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a coiled spring is mounted on the tube below the float on which the float rests, said spring supporting the weight of the float.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle contains a ball valve and there is power-operable means for effecting operation of the ball valve comprising a piston and rod, said piston being movable by pressure applied thereto in one direction to extend the rod and in the other direction to retract the rod, and means operably connecting the rod to the ball valve.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the valve has a movable part and a stem for effecting its movement and there is power-operable means for effecting movement of the stem comprising a cylinder containing a piston and rod, a shaft rotatable by reciprocation of the rod and telescoping means drivably connecting the shaft and stem.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of nozzles, means for detachably mounting said nozzles on the nozzle support, flexible conductors connected to said nozzles for gravitationally supplying plastisol thereto, each valve including a ball containing a diametrical passage, said ball being rotatable to dispose the passage across or aligned with said nozzle passage, a valve stem connected to each ball to effect rotation thereof, power-operable means for effecting operation of each valve, and means for detachably connecting said poweroperable means to said valve stems.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said means detachably mounting the nozzles on the nozzle support comprises bracket parts, one of which is fixed to the nozzle support and the other of which is detachably bolted to the one part, and means mounting the nozzles on said other part.

11. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the piston rod embodies a rack and a gear is mounted on the shaft in 'mesh with the rack.

12. Apparatus according to claim 8, comprising conductor means for supplying pressure to the cylinder at its upper end to depress the piston and to the lower end to raise it, and a bleeder valve in the conductor means connected to the upper end of the cylinder to control the rate of depression-of the piston and hence rotation of the valve.

13. Apparatus for charging a hollow mold with plastisol in the manufacture of footwear by slush molding comprising a mold support for supporting an open top mold in an upright position, a nozzle support, a nozzle to which plastisol is gravitationally delivered, means mounting the nozzle on the nozzle support, said means including a part movable forwardly and downwardly to a position above the open top of the mold, a ball valve in the nozzle, said ball valve containing a hole, said ball valve being adapted to be rotated in the nozzle to permit or block passage of plastisol therethrough, power-operable means connected to the ball valve for effecting rotation thereof, a trigger, and a float on the nozzle movable therewith to a position into the open top of the mold as the nozzle is moved to said position above the open top, and means connecting said trigger and said float to said poweroperable means alternately to effect rotation of the valve, on the one hand to open the valve and on the other hand to close the valve.

14. Apparatus for charging hollow molds with plastisol in the manufacture of footwear by slush molding, comprising a mold support for supporting a plurality of open top molds at a predetermined position for receiving plastisol, a plurality of nozzles, a nozzle support, means mounting said nozzles on the nozzle support, said means including parts movable forwardly and downwardly relative to the open tops of the molds to position the nozzles adjacent the open tops of the molds, a valve in each nozzle controlling the flow of plastisol through it, a conductor connected to each nozzle through which plastisol is delivered to said nozzle, power-operable means associated with each valve for opening and closing the valve therein, and means movable with each nozzle into position at the top of a mold comprising a trigger operably connected to the valve operable by contact with the mold to effect actuation of the power-operable means to open the valve, and a float operably connected to the valve operable by a rise of plastisol in the mold to a predetermined level to effect operation of the power-operable means to close the valve.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14, comprising means drivably connected each valve to said power-operable means, and means mounting said power operable means and said nozzles on said nozzle support, said means detachably connecting each valve to its power-operable means.

16. Apparatus according to claim 13, comprising a first switch operable by the trigger finger to effect opening of the valve and a second switch operable by the float to effect closing of the valve.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,242,313 10/1917 Beals 141-227 3,241,581 3/1966 Richardson et al. 141-284 X FOREIGN PATENTS 703,112 2/ 1965 Canada. 496,348 7/1954 Italy.

HOUSTON S. BELL, JR., Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.-R. 

